The Language of Medicine
13th edition
Davi-Ellen Chabner
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 1
Chapter 16
Skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 2
Chapter Goals (Slide 1 of 2)
• Name the layers of the skin and the accessory
structures associated with the skin.
• Build medical words using the combining
forms that are related to the specialty of
dermatology.
• Identify lesions, signs, and symptoms, and
pathologic conditions that relate to the skin.
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 3
Chapter Goals (Slide 2 of 2)
• Describe laboratory tests and clinical
procedures that pertain to the skin and
recognize relevant abbreviations.
• Apply your new knowledge to
understanding medical terms in their
proper contexts, such as medical reports
and records.
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 4
Chapter 16
Lesson 16.1
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 5
Introduction
Skin: integumentary system
• Weighs 8 to 10 lbs.
• Covers 22 sq. ft. in the average adult
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 6
Functions of Skin (Slide 1 of 2)
Provides protective membrane
Skin glands lubricate and cool the skin
Receptor for sensations
Helps maintain body temperature
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 7
Functions of Skin (Slide 2 of 2)
Produces sweat: sweat glands produce a watery
secretion that evaporates and cools
Produces sebum: sebaceous glands produce an
oily secretion that lubricates the skin and hair
Receives sensation: pain, temperature, pressure,
and touch
Thermoregulates: interprets message from heat
center in the brain
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 8
Structure of the Skin (Slide 1 of 3)
Epidermis: outermost, thin cellular
membrane
Dermis: next layer; dense fibrous,
connective tissue
Subcutaneous tissue: thick, fat-containing
tissue
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 9
Structure of the Skin (Slide 2 of 3)
• Epidermis layer contains:
• Basal layer
• Stratum corneum
• Melanocytes
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 10
Structure of the Skin (Slide 3 of 3)
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 11
Accessory Organs of the Skin:
Hair (Slide 1 of 2)
Hair cells are filled with the hard protein;
keratin
Hair follicles: shafts that hold the hair
Five million hairs on the body; 100,000 on
the head
Melanocytes at the root form the color
Grows .5 inch (1.3 cm) per month
Cutting does not affect growth
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 12
Accessory Organs of the Skin:
Hair (Slide 2 of 2)
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 13
Accessory Organs of Skin:
Nails
Hard keratin plates covering
the toes and fingers
Lunula
Cuticle
Paronychium
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 14
Accessory Organs of Skin:
Glands (Slide 1 of 2)
Glands: sebaceous and sweat
• Sebaceous glands secrete oily sebum into the
hair follicle to lubricate.
• Sweat glands secrete into pores to moisten
and cool.
• Both are subject to bacterial growth.
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 15
Accessory Organs of Skin:
Glands (Slide 2 of 2)
Sebaceous gland, eccrine
sweat gland, and
apocrine sweat gland
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 16
Vocabulary (Slide 1 of 16)
Term
adipocyte
albino
apocrine sweat
gland
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 17
Vocabulary (Slide 2 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
adipocyte Fat cell
albino Person with skin deficient in pigment
apocrine sweat One of the large dermal exocrine glands
gland located in the axilla and genital areas
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 18
Vocabulary (Slide 3 of 16)
Term
basal layer
collagen
cuticle
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 19
Vocabulary (Slide 4 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
basal layer Deepest region of the epidermis; gives rise
to all the epidermal cells
collagen Structural protein found in the skin and
connective tissue
cuticle Band of epidermis at the base and sides of
the nail plate
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 20
Vocabulary (Slide 5 of 16)
Term
dermis
ecocrine sweat
gland
epidermis
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 21
Vocabulary (Slide 6 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
dermis Middle layer of the skin
eccrine sweat gland Most numerous sweat-producing exocrine
gland in skin
epidermis Outermost layer of the skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 22
Vocabulary (Slide 7 of 16)
Term
epithelium
hair follicle
integumentary system
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 23
Vocabulary (Slide 8 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
epithelium Layer of skin cells forming the outer and
inner surfaces of the body
hair follicle Sac within which each hair grows
integumentary The skin and its accessory structures such
system as hair and nails
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 24
Vocabulary (Slide 9 of 16)
Term
keratin
lunula
melanin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 25
Vocabulary (Slide 10 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
keratin Hard protein material found in the
epidermis, hair, and nails
lunula Half-moon-shaped, whitish area at the
base of a nail
melanin Skin pigment formed by melanocytes in the
epidermis
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 26
Vocabulary (Slide 11 of 16)
Term
paronychium
pore
sebaceous gland
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 27
Vocabulary (Slide 12 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
paronychium Soft tissue surrounding the nail border
pore Tiny opening on the surface of the skin
sebaceous gland Oil-secreting gland in the dermis that is
associated with hair follicles
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 28
Vocabulary (Slide 13 of 16)
Term
sebum
squamous epithelium
stratified
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 29
Vocabulary (Slide 14 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
sebum Oily substance secreted by sebaceous
glands
squamous Flat, scale-like cells composing the
epithelium epidermis
stratified Arranged in layers
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 30
Vocabulary (Slide 15 of 16)
Term
stratum (plural: strata)
stratum corneum
subcutaneous layer
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 31
Vocabulary (Slide 16 of 16)
Term Meaning/Definition
stratum (plural: A layer (of cells)
strata)
stratum corneum Outermost layer of the epidermis; consists
of flattened, keratinized cells
subcutaneous layer Innermost layer of the skin, containing fat
tissue
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 32
Combining Forms (Slide 1 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
adip/o fat
albin/o white
caus/o burn, burning
cauter/o heat, burn
cutane/o skin
derm/o skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 33
Combining Forms (Slide 2 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
dermat/o skin
diaphor/o profuse sweating
erythem/o redness
erythemat/o redness
hidr/o sweat
ichthy/o scaly, dry
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 34
Combining Forms (Slide 3 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
kerat/o hard, horny tissue
leuk/o white
lip/o fat
melan/o black
myc/o fungus
onych/o nail
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 35
Combining Forms (Slide 4 of 5)
Combining Form Meaning
phyt/o plant
pil/o hair, hair follicle
py/o pus
rhythid/o wrinkle
seb/o sebum
squam/o scale-like
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 36
Combining Forms (Slide 5 of 5 )
Combining Form Meaning
steat/o fat
trich/o hair
ungu/o nail
xanth/o yellow
xer/o dry
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 37
QUICK QUIZ (Slide 1 of 2)
1. Which combining form refers to
white?
A. chlor/o
B. jaund/o
C. melan/o
D. albin/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 38
QUICK QUIZ (Slide 2 of 2)
• 2. Which combining form refers to the
same color as jaund/o?
– A. xanth/o
– B. chlor/o
– C. erythr/o
– D. cyan/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 39
Colors
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 40
Chapter 16
Lesson 16.2
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 41
Cutaneous Lesions
• Types of cutaneous
lesions: – Nodule
– Crust (scab) – Papule
– Cyst – Pustule
– Erosion – Ulcer
– Fissure – Vesicle
– Macule – Wheal
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 42
Signs and Symptoms (Slide 1 or 4)
Alopecia: the absence of
hair where it normally
grows
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 43
Signs and Symptoms (Slide 2 of 4)
Ecchymosis: blue-purple marks on the skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 44
Signs and Symptoms (Slide 3 of 4)
Petechia: small pinpoint hemorrhage
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 45
Signs and Symptoms (Slide 4 of 4)
Urticaria: an acute allergic reaction with red,
round wheals on the skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 46
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 1 of 7)
Acne: papular and pustular eruption of skin
with increased production of sebum
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 47
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 2 of 7)
Burns: injury to tissue
due to heat, chemical,
electric shock,
lightning, or radiation.
Second degree burn
shown in figure.
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 48
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 3 of 7)
• Cellulitis: a diffuse acute infection of the skin
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis): inflammation of
the skin with erythematous and
papulovesicular lesions caused by allergy
• Exanthematous viral diseases: a rash due to
virus (for example, rubella)
• Gangrene: the death of tissue with loss of
blood supply
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 49
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 4 of 7)
• Impetigo: contagious pyoderma caused by
staph or strep
• Psoriasis: chronic recurrent dermatosis with
silver gray scales that itch
• Scabies: parasitic (tiny mites) and infectious
pruritus
• Scleroderma: chronic and progressive disease
of the skin with hardening of connective tissue
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 50
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 5 of 7)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): an
inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin,
joints, and internal organs
• Urticaria (hives): an acute allergic reaction in
which red, round wheals develop on the skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 51
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 6 of 7)
• Tinea: infection of
the skin caused by
a fungus—
Tinea corporis
shown in figure
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 52
Abnormal Conditions (Slide 7 of 7)
Vitiligo: loss of pigment in areas of the skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 53
Chapter 16
Lesson 16.3
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 54
Skin Neoplasms — Benign
• Keratosis: thickened area of epidermis
• Leukoplakia: white, thickened patches on
tongue or cheek
• Nevus (pl. nevi): pigmented lesion
• Verruca: warts caused by virus
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 55
Skin Neoplasms — Cancerous
(Slide 1 of 3)
Basal cell carcinoma
—Malignant tumor
of the basal cell
layer of the
epidermis
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 56
Skin Neoplasms — Cancerous
(Slide 2 of 3)
Squamous cell
carcinoma--
Malignant tumor of
the squamous
epithelial cells of the
epidermis
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 57
Skin Neoplasms — Cancerous
(Slide 3 of 3)
Kaposi sarcoma
Malignant, vascular, neoplastic growth
characterized by cutaneous nodules
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 58
Laboratory Tests
Bacterial analyses: pus or fluid samples
examined to detect microorganisms
Fungal tests: scrapings for culture and
microscopic examination after treatment with
KOH
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 59
Clinical Procedures (Slide 1 of 2)
Cryosurgery: destroy tissue with subzero
temperatures using liquid nitrogen
Curettage: scrape lesion with sharp curet
Electrodesiccation: destroy tissue by burning
with electric spark
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 60
Clinical Procedures (Slide 2 of 2)
Mohs surgery: removes thin layers of growth to
examine under a microscope (basal and
squamous cell)
Skin biopsy: punch and shave to remove for
examination in path lab
Skin test: test reaction of body to allergen with
skin test (scratch or patch tests)
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 61
Abbreviations (Slide 1 of 2)
Abbreviation
ABCDE
Bx
Derm.
DLE
PPD
PUVA
SLE
SC
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 62
Abbreviations (Slide 2 of 2)
Abbreviation Meaning
ABCDE asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution
(or change) —characteristics associated with
melanoma
Bx biopsy
Derm. dermatology
DLE discoid lupus erythematosus
PPD purified protein derivative
PUVA psoralen-ultravoilet A light therapy
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SC subcutaneous
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 63
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 1 of 10)
Combining Form
adip/o
albin/o
caus/o
cauter/o
cutane/o
derm/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 64
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 2 of 10)
Combining Form Meaning
adip/o fat
albin/o white
caus/o burn, burning
cauter/o heat, burn
cutane/o skin
derm/o skin
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 65
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 3 of 10)
Combining Form
dermat/o
diaphor/o
erythem/o
erythemat/o
hidr/o
ichthy/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 66
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 4 of 10)
Combining Form Meaning
dermat/o skin
diaphor/o profuse sweating
erythem/o redness
erythemat/o redness
hidr/o sweat
ichthy/o scaly, dry
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 67
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 5 of 10)
Combining Form
kerat/o
leuk/o
lip/o
melan/o
myc/o
onych/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 68
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 6 of 10)
Combining Form Meaning
kerat/o hard, horny tissue
leuk/o white
lip/o fat
melan/o black
myc/o fungus
onych/o nail
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 69
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 7 of 10)
Combining Form
phyt/o
pil/o
py/o
rhythid/o
seb/o
squam/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 70
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 8 of 10)
Combining Form Meaning
phyt/o plant
pil/o hair, hair follicle
py/o pus
rhythid/o wrinkle
seb/o sebum
squam/o scale-like
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 71
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 9 of 10)
Combining Form
steat/o
trich/o
ungu/o
xanth/o
xer/o
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 72
Review Sheet – Combining Forms
(Slide 10 of 10)
Combining Form Meaning
steat/o fat
trich/o hair
ungu/o nail
xanth/o yellow
xer/o dry
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 73
Review Sheet – Suffixes (Slide 1 of 4)
Suffix
-algia
-derma
-esis
-lysis
-ose
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 74
Review Sheet – Suffixes (Slide 2 of 4)
Suffix Meaning
-algia pain
-derma skin
-esis condition
-lysis breakdown; separation; destruction;
loosening
-ose full of; pertaining to; sugar
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 75
Review Sheet – Suffixes (Slide 3 of 4)
Suffix
-osis
-ous
-plakia
-plasty
-rrhea
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 76
Review Sheet – Suffixes (Slide 4 of 4)
Suffix Meaning
-osis condition, usually abnormal
-ous pertaining to
-plakia plaque
-plasty surgical repair
-rrhea flow; discharge
Copyright © 2025 Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 77